Legal/Administrative Assistant

Founded in 1967, California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the oldest public interest Indian rights law firm in the country, promoting the fundamental rights of California tribes and Native Americans through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, community development, and other strategies for systemic change. CILS provides a full range of legal representation to California Indian tribes and Indian organizations, advocates for the rights of California Indians at the local, state, and national levels, and provides direct services and community education to low-income Native American individuals on issues related to Federal Indian Law. Currently, CILS operates four offices in California – Sacramento, Eureka, Bishop and Escondido. This position will be based out of the Bishop Field Office.   POSITION SUMMARY Under the supervision of the Directing Attorney, this is a part-time position devoted to enhancing attorney effectiveness by providing case management work, administrative, clerical support in a legal office environment and conducting intakes with potential clients. This position will be approximately 20 hours per week.   JOB RESPONSIBILITES The work is specialized and involves knowledge of the preparation and processing requirements of legal documents, legal terminology, civil procedure, sources of law and the court system. Will work with other staff to develop and implement a variety of outreach strategies to increase community members’ access to legal services. Work collaboratively with other staff to process requests effectively and efficiently for legal assistance from individuals, Tribes, and Indian organizations via live phone calls, voicemail, email, and in-person community education presentations. The Legal/Administrative Assistant will also conduct client intake processes and ensure that community members receive helpful, efficient information and assistance through the intake process.         ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Answer and direct incoming calls to appropriate staff, refer ineligible callers to other resource providers as appropriate and document all calls per program policy and procedures.
• Manage office systems including phone and voicemail system, database, mailing and faxing, office supplies and equipment, and coordinate office cleaning to ensure professional, efficient, and timely workflow of day-to-day operations of office.
• Create, maintain, and organize case and correspondence files including case file tickling with attention to detail and minimal supervision.
• Conserves attorneys’ time by reading, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports and legal documents; drafting simple letters and legal documents; collecting information; initiating telecommunications; organizing attorney-client meetings including preparing attorneys for meetings and court by providing meeting packets and fact summaries, travel arrangements and directions; scheduling couriers, court reporters, witnesses, and other special functions; preparing expense/reimbursement reports; post-meeting/court follow up to ensure calendars, case files and case management system are updated accordingly and timely.
• Represents attorney by communicating and obtaining information; following-up on delegated assignments; willingness to ask for direction yet provide degree of self-motivation and problem solving. Conducting preliminary intake interviews with potential clients.
• Completing intake forms and data entry into case management system.
• Gathering factual information on potential legal issues.
• Providing referrals to other sources of assistance.
• Must communicate professionally and maintain a positive rapport with all staff. This position is designed to support all staff in the office.